Ugandan lawmakers aim to make the infringement of human rights a punishable offence

23rd Feb 2015 In Uganda, the country’s parliamentary committee on human rights has drafted a Bill that aims to punish those who abuse the rights of others. Spearheaded by Jovah Kamateeka, the group has started looking into the Human Rights (Enforcement) Bill in Uganda.

According to Kamateeka, the objective of this bill is to give effect to Article 50 (4) of Uganda’s Constitution by providing a clearer process which allows for the enforcement of human rights under Chapter Four of the Constitution on rights and freedoms.

Kamteeka is quoted as telling media agents that “We are looking at the possibility of having one law that operationalizes rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution,”

While observing that “there are bits and pieces on enforcement in various legislations”, she noted that government had not come up with a specific law before now and went on to say “We are operationalizing the constitution so that whoever abuses rights of others, there is a specific penalty,”

The MPs observed that since the enactment of the 1995 Constitution, parliament has never made any law under Article 50 (4). The Article gives room for enforcement of human rights by all persons, institutions and organs of government. Sources say this new Bill will authorize the High Court to hear and determine any application which concerns the enforcement or violation of human rights.